Roller display device

ABSTRACT

A display device includes a base holder having a cavity and a roller assembly. The roller assembly can include an upper cylindrical roller, a lower cylindrical roller, a framework arranged and constructed to maintain the upper cylindrical roller and the lower cylindrical roller a predetermined distance away from each other, and a conveyor belt wrapped around the upper cylindrical roller and the lower cylindrical roller. At least one or more rotating mechanisms can be attached to one or more of a left side of the upper cylindrical roller, a right side of the upper cylindrical roller, a left side of the lower cylindrical roller, or a right side of the lower cylindrical roller, where the one or more rotating mechanisms drive the lower cylinder to rotate and cause the conveyer belt to move around the upper cylinder and the lower cylinder.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/560,067 filed on Sep. 18, 2017, theentire content of which is incorporated herein by reference

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods in thefield of mechanical display devices, and more particularly relates to aninnovative system and apparatus for posting and scrolling sticky notesor other messages on a rolling display device.

BACKGROUND

Many people use Post-it Notes or sticky notes and pile them or stickthem to their display device or desk and lose site of them since theyget buried beneath other notes or other documents or items that might beplaced on the desk or behind other notes that might get stuck on ascreen or other item on the desk. Eventually, the urgency or relevanceof a particular older note gets lost due to other new notes that getpiled on top.

It is desirable to find improved systems and apparatuses for maintainingnotes, messages or sticky notes in an accessible unhidden way.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, display device includes a base holder having acavity and a roller assembly. The roller assembly can include an uppercylindrical roller, a lower cylindrical roller, a framework arranged andconstructed to maintain the upper cylindrical roller and the lowercylindrical roller a predetermined distance away from each other, and aconveyor belt wrapped around the upper cylindrical roller and the lowercylindrical roller. The roller assembly is configured for verticalplacement in the cavity of the base holder and at least one or morerotating mechanisms can be attached to one or more of a left side of theupper cylindrical roller, a right side of the upper cylindrical roller,a left side of the lower cylindrical roller, or a right side of thelower cylindrical roller, where the one or more rotating mechanismsdrive the lower cylinder to rotate and cause the conveyer belt to movearound the upper cylinder and the lower cylinder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front left perspective view of a display deviceaccording to one embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a left rear perspective view of a display device inaccordance with the embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front right perspective of the display device ofFIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom plan view of the display device of FIG. 1 inaccordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an vertical exploded view of the display device ofFIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative display deviceaccording to another embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Glossary of Terms

Cavity—is an empty space or volume.

Framework—is a set of members forming a supporting structure.

Rotating mechanism—is a dial, knob, handle, crank or other elementcoupled to any number of rollers to facilitate the rotating of theroller and/or a corresponding conveyor belt about one or more of therollers

Sticky note—is any form of temporarily adhering note that can stick tothe surface of the conveyor surface. A particular brand of sticky noteis the Post it note by 3M.

Described herein is a display device for use with sticky notes orPost-it notes, and a method of using same. In the following description,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of various embodiments of the display device and method.It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that embodimentsherein may be practiced without some or all of these specific details.In other instances, well known steps and/or structures have not beendescribed in order to not unnecessarily obscure the display device orapparatus.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities,conditions, and the like in the instant disclosure and claims are to beunderstood as modified in all instances by the term “about.” The term“about” refers, for example, to numerical values covering a range ofplus or minus 10% of the numerical value. The modifier “about” used incombination with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value.

In this specification and the claims that follow, singular forms such as“a”, “an”, and “the” include plural forms unless the content clearlydictates otherwise.

In some embodiments, the display device or apparatus according to thepresent disclosure may be two or more rollers coupled via framework anda conveyer forming an assembly where the display device includes amechanism for rotating the rollers and thereby moving the conveyercorrespondingly. The assembly can be further placed within a cavity of abase holder or structure.

In some embodiments and referring to FIG. 1, a display device 100includes a base holder 101 having a cavity 103 and a roller assembly105. The roller assembly 105 can include an upper cylindrical roller106A, a lower cylindrical roller 106B, a framework 108 arranged andconstructed to maintain the upper cylindrical roller 106A and the lowercylindrical roller 106B a predetermined distance away from each other,and a conveyor belt 104 wrapped around the upper cylindrical roller 106Aand the lower cylindrical roller 106B. The roller assembly 105 isconfigured for vertical placement in the cavity 103 of the base holder101 and at least one or more rotating mechanisms 102A can be attached toone or more of a left side of the upper cylindrical roller, a right sideof the upper cylindrical roller, a left side of the lower cylindricalroller, or a right side of the lower cylindrical roller, where the oneor more rotating mechanisms drive the lower cylindrical roller 106B torotate and cause the conveyer belt 104 to move around the uppercylindrical roller 106A and the lower cylindrical roller 106B. In theembodiment of FIG. 1, the rotating mechanism 102A is a knob or dialcoupled to the lower cylindrical roller 106B via a stem or post 102B.The base holder 101 can further include a locking mechanism including aleft side mounting post 112A and a right side mounting post 112B usedfor securing the roller assembly 105 to the base holder 101 in avertical configuration. The vertical configuration enables the placementand viewing of a single sticky note or Post it note or any number ofsticky notes (or Post-it notes) 110A, 110B, 110C, etc., on the conveyorbelt 104 of the roller assembly 105. The dimensions of the conveyer androller assembly can be sized to allow a predetermined number of standardsize sticky notes. The embodiments are not limited to any particularnumber of sticky notes that can be placed on the conveyor. Additionalsticky notes or Post-it notes can also be placed on the opposing side ofthe conveyor belt shown. A rotation of the dial or knob 102A would movethe notes (110A, etc.) in a cyclical fashion as the conveyor is rotatedcorrespondingly.

In some embodiments, the rotating mechanism or mechanisms (102A) can beone or more of rotating dials, handles, or knobs. In some embodiments,the framework 108 can include a first framework for the lowercylindrical roller 106B and a second framework for the upper cylindricalroller 106A. In some embodiments, the conveyer belt 104 comprises smoothflexible vinyl. In some embodiments the vinyl can be electrostaticallycharged to retain the non-adhesive portions of the sticky notes adheringto the vinyl conveyor belt. In other embodiments, it is preferable tohave the non-adhesive portion loose and apart from the conveyor beltsurface. In yet other embodiments, the base further comprises anactuator, switch or button 120 (shown in FIG. 3) coupled to a batteryand further coupled to a motor to drive a rotating motion for the lowercylindrical roller upon actuation of the actuator.

In some embodiments, the base holder and roller assembly are made of oneor more of metal, plastic, or wood. In some embodiments, the uppercylindrical roller is configured to stay stationary relative to thelower cylindrical roller and the conveyor belt. In some embodiments,both the lower cylindrical roller and the upper cylindrical roller movein conjunction with the conveyor. In some embodiments, the lowercylindrical roller is configured to stay stationary relative to theupper cylindrical roller and the conveyor belt.

In some embodiments, the display device can be considered a sticky notecaddy. In some embodiments, the display device is a verticallypositioned conveyer belt system that sits on a weighted base forstability.

Referring to FIG. 2, the display device 100 can have a single rotatingmechanism 102A or one or more rotating mechanisms (102A, 102C, 102D,and/or 102E). The display device 100 can be configured to have anycombination of rotating mechanism in any of the locations noted such asthe right side of the lower cylindrical roller, the left side of thelower cylindrical roller, the right side of the upper cylindricalroller, and/or the left side of the upper cylindrical roller.

Referring to FIG. 3, the display device 100 can further optionallyinclude the actuator device or button 120 that can enable theapplication of power of a battery to a small motor to enable theautomated motorized rotation of the conveyor belt.

Referring to FIG. 4, a bottom plan view of the display device 100 showsthe base holder 101, the conveyor belt 104, as well as the rotatingmechanism 102A and stem or coupling element 102B that couples to thelower cylindrical roller 106B (shown in FIGS. 1-3).

Referring to FIG. 5, a vertical exploded view of the display device 100provides greater detail with respect to the framework 108 and othercomponents making up the roller assembly as well as the base holder 101.The roller assembly 105 (See FIG. 1) includes the conveyor belt 104which would be mounted on the upper cylindrical roller 106A and thelower cylidrical roller 106B. The conveyor belt is shown with stickynotes 110A, 110B, and 110C on a front side and sticky notes 110D, 110E,and 110F on a rear or back side. In some embodiments, the cylindricalrollers can be complete cylinders. In the embodiment shown, thecylindrical rollers include gaps that exposes stem portions 122. Thestem portions 122 are configured to snap or mate with posts or bosses123 forming a portion of the framework 108. In assembly, the cylindricalrollers 106A and 106B can be simply snapped on to the respective postsor bosses 123 via the respective stems 122 on the cylindrical rollers.Thereafter, the conveyor belt 104 can be placed over the cylindricalrollers 106A and 106B to form the roller assembly (105). The rollerassembly can be mounted to the base holder 101 using machine screws orother attachment devices (not shown) using the respective holes 125 at abase of the mounting posts 112A and 112B and the respective holes 126 inthe base holder 101. As shown, the lower cylindrical roller 106B has anextension or stem 102B that couples to the rotating mechanism 102A inthe form of a dial or knob. The stem 102B can fit within a slot 124within the base 101 allowing the cylindrical roller 106B to rotate.

In one particular embodiment, at the base-bottom level of the conveyerbelt is a cylindrical like tube approximately 4 to 5 inches wide and 1.5inches in diameter. At the top end of the conveyer belt is anothercylindrical like tube also 4 to 5 inches wide and 1.5 inches indiameter. The first tube is mounted on an inner frame just above thebase. The second tube is suspended 12 inches above the bottom tube withan inner framework. The conveyer belt is wrapped around the two tubes.The conveyer material can be of a smooth flexible vinyl, but othermaterials are contemplated such as rubber, elastic, or elastomericmaterials The bottom cylindrical tube can have a dial handle on one endor in alternative embodiments the bottom or top cylindrical tube canhave a dial on either end or on each end. The dial enables the cylindersto rotate and move the conveyer belt around the two cylinders. Stickynotes can be affixed to the conveyer belt in any desired order and movedup or down on the belt as tasks are completed. The base can be modifiedto support a small motor and battery to motorize the belt using a pushbutton. Materials for the entire device could include choices of metal,plastic and or wood depending on the desired décor. There could also beseveral models in different heights and widths.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative display device 200 in accordance withan embodiment of the disclosure. The display device 200 can serve as arotating post-it caddy and can include a base plate or base member 201which can be weighted and a top plate or rotating member 202 thatrotates relative to the weighted base member 201 similar in operation toa “lazy susan”. A bearing (not shown) can be mounted between the baseplate or base member and the top plate or rotating member to enable thesmooth rotation of the top plate relative to the base plate. The displaydevice further includes a tower member 203 mounted or fixed to the topplate or rotating member 202. The tower member 203 can have multiplefaces or sides 204, 205, 206, and 207. The embodiment shown includes atower 203 with 4 sides, but other embodiments within the scope of thedisclosure herein can have a laminar tower with just two sides, or atower with 3 sides, or 5 sides or more sides and even a circular ortubular tower. The tower can be made of plastic or any other materialthat enables the posting and removal of sticky notes.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the presentinvention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing fromthe spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presently disclosedembodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrativeand not restricted. Modifications and variations are possible in lightof the above teachings or may be acquired from practicing of thedisclosure, without departing from the breadth or scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device, comprising: a base holderhaving a cavity; a roller assembly, the roller assembly comprising: anupper cylindrical roller; a lower cylindrical roller; a frameworkarranged and constructed to maintain the upper cylindrical roller andthe lower cylindrical roller a predetermined distance away from eachother; a conveyor belt wrapped around the upper cylindrical roller andthe lower cylindrical roller; wherein the roller assembly is configuredfor vertical placement in the cavity of the base holder; at least one ormore rotating mechanisms attached to one or more of a left side of theupper cylindrical roller, a right side of the upper cylindrical roller,a left side of the lower cylindrical roller, or a right side of thelower cylindrical roller, wherein the one or more rotating mechanismsdrive the lower cylinder to rotate and causing the conveyer belt to movearound the upper cylindrical roller and the lower cylindrical roller;and wherein further the upper cylindrical roller is configured to staystationary relative to the lower cylindrical roller and the conveyorbelt or the lower cylindrical roller is configured to stay stationaryrelative to the upper cylindrical roller and the conveyor belt.
 2. Thedisplay device of claim 1, wherein the rotating mechanisms are one ormore of rotating dials, handles, or knobs.
 3. The display device ofclaim 1, wherein the framework comprises a first framework for the lowercylindrical roller and a second framework for the upper cylindricalroller.
 4. The display device of claim 1, wherein the conveyer beltcomprises smooth flexible vinyl.
 5. The display device of claim 1,wherein the base holder and roller assembly are made of one or more ofmetal, plastic, or wood.
 6. The display device of claim 1, wherein theconveyor belt is configured for placement of one or more sticky notes.7. The display device of claim 1, wherein the upper cylindrical rolleris configured to stay stationary relative to the lower cylindricalroller and the conveyor belt.
 8. The display device of claim 1, whereinthe upper cylindrical roller is configured to rotate correspondinglywith the lower cylindrical roller and the conveyor belt.
 9. The displaydevice of claim 1, wherein the lower cylindrical roller is configured tostay stationary relative to the upper cylindrical roller and theconveyor belt.
 10. The display device of claim 1, wherein the uppercylindrical roller and the lower cylindrical roller further includesgaps exposing a stem that is configured to mate with respective poststhat are coupled to the framework.
 11. The display device of claim 1,wherein the lower cylindrical roller further comprises an extension orstem coupled to one of the at least one or more rotating mechanisms thatforms a knob or dial for rotating the conveyor about the upper and lowercylindrical rollers.
 12. A display device, comprising: a base holderhaving a cavity; a roller assembly, the roller assembly comprising: anupper cylindrical roller; a lower cylindrical roller; a frameworkarranged and constructed to maintain the upper cylindrical roller andthe lower cylindrical roller a predetermined distance away from eachother; a conveyor belt wrapped around the upper cylindrical roller andthe lower cylindrical roller; and wherein the roller assembly isconfigured for vertical placement in the cavity of the base holder;wherein the upper cylindrical roller and the lower cylindrical rollerfurther includes gaps exposing a stem that is configured to mate withrespective posts that are coupled to the framework; and at least one ormore rotating mechanisms for causing the conveyer belt to move aroundthe upper cylindrical roller and the lower cylindrical roller.
 13. Thedisplay device of claim 12, wherein the rotating mechanisms are one ormore of rotating dials, handles, or knobs.
 14. The display device ofclaim 12, wherein the at least one or more rotating mechanisms isattached to one or more of a left side of the upper cylindrical roller,a right side of the upper cylindrical roller, a left side of the lowercylindrical roller, or a right side of the lower cylindrical roller. 15.The display device of claim 12, wherein the one or more rotatingmechanisms drive the lower cylinder to rotate.
 16. A display device,comprising: a base holder having a cavity; a roller assembly, the rollerassembly comprising: an upper cylindrical roller; a lower cylindricalroller; a framework arranged and constructed to maintain the uppercylindrical roller and the lower cylindrical roller a predetermineddistance away from each other; a conveyor belt wrapped around the uppercylindrical roller and the lower cylindrical roller; and at least one ormore rotating mechanisms for causing the conveyer belt to move aroundthe upper cylindrical roller and the lower cylindrical roller, whereinthe upper cylindrical roller is configured to stay stationary relativeto the lower cylindrical roller and the conveyor belt or the lowercylindrical roller is configured to stay stationary relative to theupper cylindrical roller and the conveyor belt.
 17. The display deviceof claim 16, wherein the roller assembly is configured for verticalplacement in the cavity of the base holder.
 18. The display device ofclaim 16, wherein the conveyor belt is configured for placement of oneor more sticky notes.
 19. The display device of claim 16, wherein the atleast one or more rotating mechanisms is attached to one or more of aleft side of the upper cylindrical roller, a right side of the uppercylindrical roller, a left side of the lower cylindrical roller, or aright side of the lower cylindrical roller and wherein the one or morerotating mechanisms drive the lower cylinder to rotate.